Courier Friends to Follow

Love God

By Minister Riley Nelson
Richmond Hill Church of Christ

POSTED:July 20, 2010 12:58 p.m.

We must never forget that we were created to worship and love God. We are the creation – He is the creator. We are to serve Him. All the blessings that His word tells us about are there for us if we will follow Him. The world has the idea that man can do just about whatever he wants and God will still save him. God has never promised salvation to one who will not obey Him. “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it (Matt. 7:21-27)." Just how strong is our love for God? Most people would proclaim loud and long that their love for God is strong and firm. That is the way our love for God OUGHT to be. There should never be any question of our love for God, and we sure should never give anyone reason to wonder about our love for God. Jesus in one of His lessons said this: “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:16-20). "The idea expressed here has to do with the actions of individuals and what is portrayed to others by those actions. So much is said by our actions. Those who are members of the Lord’s body should be keenly aware of how they are to be examples to those around about them. In this same sermon Jesus told of the kind of example His followers should be. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:13-16)." Our love for God needs to be strong, and in a continual process of getting stronger. Staying away when the saints meet will not help this to happen. Our love for God will begin to diminish and fade if we do not work to help it grow and become stronger. Satan enjoys the victory each time a child of God chooses to miss the assemblies. His desire is for our destruction. God’s desire is for our salvation. May we always make the right choice.